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What is GMAT?

The GMAT is the Graduate Management Admission Test; a standardized test required by the vast majority of business schools around the globe. It provides a measure of an applicant’s academic ability. The GMAT test does not include any questions that gauge your business knowledge. The GMAT test is computer adaptive test and administered six days each week, 52 weeks per year.

The exam can be scheduled any time in a year but candidates can appear once in 31 days and 5 times per year.

Why GMAT?

High GMAT score will improve your chances of admission to top B-Schools so you should target a high GMAT score. A high GMAT score projects you as a person with good analytical and verbal skills, both are necessary to perform well in a management program and later, after completion of your course, to perform in real life business situations.

If you are applying to a top MBA program that is ranked high, you will need a high GMAT score just to qualify for an admission. The average GMAT scores are upwards of 680 in most of the top MBA programs in the US. This figure can be as high as 720 for students from Asian countries who normally score higher. So, if you are applying to a top MBA program, you will need a high GMAT score just to stay in contention. You will first need to get a good GMAT score, and then work to get the other application issues right. Your past academic, professional and personal background that you project through information you fill in your application form, and the quality of your application essays finally get you an admission. Since admissions are very competitive, it’s the quality of your background that gets you an admission.

To sum it up, your GMAT score can just qualify you for admission if you are applying to a top program, whereas it can get you an admission if you are not applying to the ranked programs. In either case,a high GMAT score can work to your advantage.

You convey another aspect about yourself through your GMAT score. A good GMAT score shows that you have taken your MBA admissions seriously. You show that you knew it was important, you took it seriously and you achieved what you set out to achieve.

This is a test for which practice pays off – GMAC’s data shows that there is a positive correlation between the length of time spent studying for the GMAT and one’s score; over 50% of students who studied for 2 months or more received a 600 or greater, in contrast to under 37% of students who studied for a month or less.

GMAT FAQs

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Business schools look at each application separately, taking into account the merits of each applicant. A candidate’s GMAT score is only one part of the MBA admissions process, which usually includes admissions essays, work experience, and one-on-one interviews. If the rest of your application is weak, then a good GMAT score will improve your chances.

In most cases, yes. However, some business schools also accept Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores, and some have their own admissions exams. You should always check with the business schools you wish to apply to in order to find out what is required for your MBA applications, however GMAC have a database detailing which schools use their exam as part of their admissions criteria.

While the GMAT is used solely as an entrance exam for MBA programs, the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is accepted on many differing masters programs. Because of this, not as many business schools accept the GRE compared to the GMAT.

However, some MBA applicants will have previously taken the GRE in their educational career, and so may not wish to take another exam. Also, some applicants may not have decided between taking an MBA or a master’s degree, and therefore wish to keep their options open.

You should always check with the business schools that you wish to apply to before committing to take either test. However, you can find more information on each school’s application procedure on

This is a difficult question to answer, as everyone should prepare in their own way that suits them best. Many GMAT test takers prepare over the course of around three to six months, using the many differing ‘GMAT test prep’ companies available. Others purchase retired questions, or GMAC’s official publications and practice as much as possible. You should decide which method is right for you.

The GMAT exam is taken on a computer; however test takers only need minimal computer skills to participate. Before each section there is a practice session, so that test takers know how they are expected to answer the questions, and how to use the computer.

If a participant has any problems during the test, then a help section is available. However, while using the help section, the clock will still be running. As soon as each section starts, test takers need to remember that the clock will not stop until their time for that section has run out.

The opportunity of two five-minute breaks is also available, in-between sections.

In order to take the test, you will first have to have registered through the GMAT site. You will then need to bring the letter, or a printed copy of the email that you received from Pearson VUE (who run the test on GMAC’s behalf) with you to your test.

To prove you are who you say you are, you will also need to take appropriate identification. For some countries this has to be your passport, but in others you can choose to bring other government approved identification. You will be told prior to the exam which identification is accepted at your GMAT test center.

While it is not essential, you can also bring the details of five business schools who you would like to receive your official score report. It is advisable to select your schools before the test, as afterwards you will be charged for each GMAT score report you wish to send.

The CAT format of the GMAT means that each test is tailored to each participant during the exam. During the quantitative and verbal sections, if a student answers a question correctly they will then be shown a question of greater difficulty. The opposite is also true, whereby if a student answers a question incorrectly, then the next question they will be shown will be considered easier.

The overall GMAT score is calculated using the Quantitative and Verbal sections, and participants are awarded a score of between 200 and 800. Higher scores represent greater ability. However, business schools also receive MBA applicants’ Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) scores, ranging from 1 to 6, a score for the Integrated Reasoning section, ranging from 1 to 8, as well as breakdowns of the Verbal and Quantitative scores, which both range from 0 to 60.

Participants are allowed to take the GMAT up to five times a year. However, business schools are still able to see applicants’ previous GMAT scores. If an MBA admissions department sees that an applicant has improved over the course of two or three tests, then it may be looked upon favorably. However, if the opposite is true, then it could prove problematic for your application.

This depends on the business schools you are applying to. Most admission departments will consider GMAT scores that are up to five years old, however if this could be a problem for you, then you should check with the business schools you are applying to.

To ensure that all the results that MBA admissions departments receive are genuine, GMAC sends the GMAT results to business schools.

On the test day, you can select up to five business schools for GMAC to send your score to for free. However, after the test day you will be charged an additional fee for every set of GMAT scores you wish to send.